Fire crews from around south Cornwall spent hours battling the fire which broke out at about 8.30pm.

A fire engine from Fowey and one from St Austell were first on the scene, but, as the seriousness of the fire quickly became apparent, three further fire crews, from St Austell, Lostwithiel and Mevagissey, were called to help.

Another on-duty officer and specialist appliances joined those that were first sent.

The house on Upper Eastcliffe Road, Par, with its burnt out roof and upper floor. BOTL20180107A-001_C (Image: Tom Last)

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Mrs Pearson told the radio station she was not sure her smoke alarms in the house were working and urged others to check that their smoke alarms worked as it could save their lives.

She said: "We did have a smoke alarm in the house but I hadn't tested it in years. That's my advice to people - check your fire alarms. But that's what happens. You put them in and forget about them or forget that the batteries need changing."

The house on Upper Eastcliffe Road, Par, with its burnt out roof and upper floor. BOTL20180107A-003_C (Image: Tom Last)

A fundraising drive has been launched to help the Pearsons.

The community has come out to support the Par couple, who escaped with their two dogs as flames tore through the semi-detached house in Upper Eastcliffe Road.

Michael Ashley, who set up the fundraising page, said donations would go towards helping with temporary accommodation and items that are needed to help them get back on their feet.